Pelargonium plant named ‘KLEIZ13338’

ABSTRACT

A new  Pelargonium  plant particularly distinguished by having semi-double flowers with a white color, compact growth habit and strong branching, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Pelargonium sp.

Variety denomination: ‘KLEIZ13338’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety ofPelargonium, botanically known as Pelargonium sp. and hereinafterreferred to by the variety name ‘KLEIZ13338’. ‘KLEIZ13338’ originatedfrom a controlled cross between the female Pelargonium variety‘Cassandra’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,220), having white flowers withmedium branching and a strong growth habit, and the proprietary malePelargonium variety ‘PP 06 086’ (unpatented), having orange flowers,with small branching and a small growth habit.

In June 2008 the two Pelargonium parental lines ‘Cassandra’ and ‘PP 06086’ were crossed in Stuttgart, Germany and seeds were obtained. Theseeds were sown and plants were grown for evaluation. A plant line wasselected in June 2009 and named ‘KLEIZ13338’. In June 2009 ‘KLEIZ13338’was first vegetatively propagated by vegetative cuttings. ‘KLEIZ13338’was found to reproduce true to type in successive generations of asexualpropagation via vegetative cuttings in Stuttgart, Germany.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Plant Breeder's Rights for ‘KLEIZ13338’ were applied for in Canada onFeb. 8, 2013, Application No. 13-7923. ‘KLEIZ13338’ has not been madepublicly available or sold more than one year prior to the filing dateof this application.

SUMMARY

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new variety when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Stuttgart, Germany.

-   -   1. White flower color;    -   2. Semi-double flowers;    -   3. Compact growth habit; and    -   4. Strong branching.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

This new Pelargonium plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographwhich shows an overall view of the plant. The photograph is of a 4 to 5month-old plant grown in Stuttgart, Germany under greenhouse conditionsin May 2012.

The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained byconventional photographic procedures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘KLEIZ13338’. The data which define thesecharacteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out inStuttgart, Germany. Data was collected on fifteen-week-old plants grownin an indoor trial in Stuttgart, Germany under greenhouse conditions inApril 2013. Color references are to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The RoyalHorticultural Society of London (R.H.S.), 5^(th) edition (2007).

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Geraniaceae.        -   Botanical.—Pelargonium sp.        -   Common.—Pelargonium.        -   Designation.—‘KLEIZ13338’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Pelargonium line ‘Cassandra’ (U.S. Plant Pat.            No. 6,220).        -   Male parent.—Pelargonium line ‘PP 06 086’ (unpatented).-   Plant:    -   -   Habit.—Upright.        -   Height.—20.0 cm.        -   Spread.—20.0 cm.        -   Life cycle.—Annual, January to April in a greenhouse, May to            October outside.        -   Form.—Rounded, potted plant.        -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—18 days.        -   Time to bloom from propagation.—75 days.        -   Lastingness of inflorescence on the plant.—About 2 weeks.        -   Root type.—Medium, freely branching.        -   Color.—White.-   Stems:    -   -   Color.—RHS 137C.        -   Quantity.—4 to 8 branches.        -   Texture.—Little short pubescence.        -   Pubescence.—Present.        -   Stem form.—Round.        -   Diameter.—0.6 cm.        -   Length.—8.0 cm to 12.0 cm.        -   Internode length.—1.5 cm to 2.0 cm.        -   Anthocyanin.—Absent.-   Leaves:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Shape.—Round, ivy shaped.        -   Apex.—Obtuse.        -   Base.—Open.        -   Margin.—Crenate.        -   Surface Texture.—Upper surface: Rough. Lower surface:            Smooth.        -   Length.—5.0 cm.        -   Width.—6.0 cm.        -   Color.—Upper surface: RHS 137A. Lower surface: RHS 137D.        -   Surface pubescence.—Upper surface: Sparse. Lower surface:            Absent.        -   Petiole.—Length: 5.0 cm to 7.0 cm. Diameter: 0.12 cm.            Strength: Medium. Color: RHS 137C.        -   Venation pattern.—Palmate.        -   Venation color.—Upper surface: RHS 138A. Lower surface: RHS            138B.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Umbels.—Shape: Round. Length: 5.0 cm to 6.0 cm. Diameter:            8.0 cm.        -   Individual florets of the umbel.—Depth 1.0 cm. Diameter:            3.5 cm. Lastingness of individual flowers: About 6 to 8            days.        -   Fragrance.—Absent.        -   Number of inflorescences per plant.—7 to 9.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Cluster shape.—Round.        -   Cluster size.—Length: 2.0 cm. Width: 2.0 cm.        -   Texture.—Rough.        -   Bud.—Length: 0.7 cm to 0.9 cm. Width: 0.6 cm. Shape:            Elliptic, ovate. Apex: Cuspidate. Base: Obtuse. Margin:            Smooth. Color: RHS 138A.-   Petals:    -   -   Quantity per flower.—5.        -   Shape.—Ovate.        -   Apex.—Smooth, round.        -   Base.—Obtuse.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Length.—2.0 cm.        -   Width.—1.0 cm.        -   Texture (both surfaces).—Smooth.        -   Color of lobes.—Upper and lower lobes: Upper surface: RHS            157B. Lower surface: RHS 157C.-   Sepals:    -   -   Number per flower.—5.        -   Shape.—Elliptic to ovate.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Obtuse.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture (both surfaces).—Smooth.        -   Color.—Upper surface: RHS 138B. Lower surface: RHS 138D.        -   Length.—0.9 cm.        -   Width.—0.4 cm.-   Pedicel:    -   -   Length.—0.5 cm to 1.2 cm.        -   Diameter.—0.15 cm.        -   Color.—RHS 138D.        -   Texture.—Light short pubescence (a little rough).        -   Strength.—Medium.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—10.0 cm to 15.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—0.5 cm.        -   Color.—RHS 137D.        -   Texture.—Rough.        -   Strength.—Medium.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Number: Mostly 5. Anther length: 0.2 cm Anther            color: RHS N155C. Filament length: 0.6 cm. Filament color:            RHS N155B. Pollen amount: Moderate. Pollen color: RHS 25D.        -   Pistils.—Number: 1. Stigma color: RHS 68C. Style length:            0.1 cm. Style color: RHS 56D. Ovary arrangement: Erect.            Ovary color: RHS 142D. Ovary length: 0.4 cm. Ovary diameter:            0.1 cm.-   Fruit and seed set: None observed.-   Disease and pest/insect resistance: None observed.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND KNOWN VARIETY

‘KLEIZ13338’ is a distinct variety of Pelargonium having violet rayflorets and dark green leaves; ‘KLEIZ13338’ is distinguished from itsparents as described in Table 1:

TABLE 1 Comparison with Parental Lines Female parent Male Parent Trait‘KLEIZ13338’ ‘Cassandra’ ‘PP 06 086’ Growth habit Compact Strong SmallFlower color White White Orange Branching Strong Medium Small, little

‘KLEIZ13338’ is most similar to the commercial Pelargonium plant named‘Cassandra’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,220). Differences between the twovarieties are described in Table 2:

TABLE 2 Comparison with Similar Variety Trait ‘KLEIZ13338’ Commercialline ‘Cassandra’ Flower fullness Semi double flowers Double flowersGrowth habit Compact Strong

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Pelargonium plant named‘KLEIZ13338’ as illustrated and described herein.